Les Filles de Jeanne D’Arc – Part II

Disclaimer: This chapter is currently in development. There are likely typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. Please do not treat this as a polished and completed work!

“Why has Clara returned late from her sabbatical,” the Reverend Mother asked.

Clara was about to speak, to explain her situation but Edith jumped in instead. At least this time Clara did not need to talk her way out of trouble

“She was attacked by one of them Reverend Mother,” Edith said in a formal tone. “She claims that a former student who was known as Jonathan Carmichael was responsible,” she added.

This was the first time that Clara had seen a change in the Reverend Mother’s stoic mask. This time her eyes went wide with surprise; of all the times to wish for a camera!

“Is this true child,” Augustine asked.

“Yes Reverend Mother,” Clara replied.

“Clara also discovered that Jonathan had been responsible for the disappearance of at least six other girls over the past two years,” Edith said.

The Reverend Mother cocked her brow. That sort of information was hard to come by and easily appeared to be far fetched. This was precisely the scenario that Clara had wished to avoid.

“Sometimes truth was stranger than fiction,” Clara thought.

“How child,” Augustine asked.

“I got lucky Reverend Mother,” Clara replied.

“Surely there is more to the story than mere luck,” the Reverend Mother asked.

Clara took a deep breath and began to recite her sordid tale. She went over the details on how Jack set a trap, how she gained the upper hand and cleared up the evidence. The Reverend Mother hung on every word in awe on how calm Clara appeared to be, or at least on the outside.

She then went on to describe the artwork and focused on the portrait she brought with her. Evidence that provided a vital link to the Father Michael’s death, recent whereabouts of the one responsible and hinted at the scope of their intelligence network. To be honest, it left them with more questions than it answered.

Clara doubted she would be involved in any effort to tie all of this information together. Although she was certain that Tower was marginally safer, at least for now.

“Please leave us please child,” the Reverend Mother said.

Clara nodded and left without saying a word. All the while she wondered why Edith would remain.

On her way down the stairs, she saw several members of the staff hurry on by. It seemed that Clara had created a bit of a stir; a rare occasion where this type of response did not land her in hot water.